by Cindy Bell
“Yes, I’m okay,” she stumbled over her words.
“I told you to close your eyes.” He sighed and turned hard down a side road. “That will keep them off our tail for a little while, but I’m sure they’re going to come looking for us again.”
“How did you do that?” She looked over her shoulder at the bridge. “How did you know that we would make it over?”
“I didn’t.” He stared through the windshield.
“You didn’t?” She gulped out the words.
“No, there’s always a chance that my calculations are off.”
“You’ve done this before?”
“Not on this particular bridge, but yes. Drawbridges are the best way to lose a very dedicated tail.”
“Wow.” She sat back against the car seat and tried to settle her breathing. “I never would have imagined that even happened, except in the movies.”
“Like I said, some of those movies, are rather accurate.” He patted her knee. “Don’t worry, everything is fine.”
“No, it’s not fine. It’s not even close to fine. You just jumped over a bridge, and I…” She pressed her hand to her chest. “I have never done anything like that before.”
“And hopefully you never will again. It’s not the safest move to make. But I can assure you, I never would have done it, if I thought it would put you at risk.”
“How could jumping over a drawbridge not put me at risk?” Kerri stared at him with wide eyes.
“It’s not as if it was my first time.” He shrugged.
“Never mind that, for now. Who was chasing us?”
“My best guess is that it has something to do with the Weber brothers. They probably didn’t like that we were looking into them. We’re going to have to be very careful from now on.”
“Yes.” She caught her breath and closed her eyes. A few minutes later they were in the driveway of the house. When she stepped out of the car she looked up and down the street for any sign of the car that followed them. All she saw were the usual trees, lawn ornaments, and crumb-seeking birds.
“I’m calling Chief Meyers.”
“I don’t know if that’s the best idea, Kerri.”
“Why not?” She turned to look at him. “I don’t want to have to worry about some creeps tailing my car all over town.”
“Because they’re dangerous men. I’m not sure that the local law enforcement is up to the task of capturing them.”
“I trust Chief Meyers. He knows what he’s doing.”
“All right, suit yourself.” He began to study the damage to the car. She dialed the police station, and blurted out words as soon as the desk sergeant picked up.
“Chief Meyers, I need to speak to him please. Tell him it’s Kerri.”
“Oh yes, he asked me to contact you.”
“He did?”
“Yes, apparently your car was involved in some damage to the drawbridge?”
“That’s because we were being chased. That’s why I need to speak to him.”
“He’s on his way to your house now.”
“Okay, thank you.” She hung up the phone, then looked over at her car. There were scratches and some further damage to the front end of her car. Was he coming there to arrest her? “Grandpa, Chief Meyers is on his way here.”
“Let me guess, the drawbridge has a plate reader?”
“Yes, I guess it does. Don’t worry, I’ll tell him I was driving.”
“You’ll do no such thing. Let’s just see what he has to say.”
They didn’t have to wait long as a police car with lights and sirens blasting pulled up to the house a few minutes later. Chief Meyers stepped out of the car and walked over to them.
“Imagine my surprise when it was reported to me that someone had decided to jump the drawbridge.” He crossed his arms as he looked between them. “I thought, it must be some punk teenagers, or maybe a drunk. So, imagine how much more surprised I was when I discovered that it wasn’t punk teenagers, or some drunk sap, at all. It was two people who should know better.”
“Chief Meyers, we were trying to get away from someone who was right on our tail. They chased us, all the way from Bill Power’s place.” Kerri’s breath grew short as she recalled the fear that she experienced. “We could have been killed!”
“All right, calm down. The fact remains that you should have called the police instead of pulling a stunt like that. Now, who do you think was chasing you?”
“I have their names. I’ll write them down for you. I think they must be responsible for Damian’s death, otherwise they wouldn’t have been hunting us down. They’re the owners of the property where his body was found.”
“Are you talking about Bert and Reiner Weber?”
“Yes.”
“That makes sense.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re certain that Reiner Weber murdered Damian.”
“How can you be certain?” Kerri’s eyes widened.
“We found his fingerprints. He stashed the gun in the caretaker’s shed, it was pretty well hidden. We were about to arrest Bernard, but when we dusted for prints the gun was clean. However, the toolbox it was stashed in was covered in Reiner’s fingerprints. We have been in contact with some law enforcement agencies and we now know that the Weber brothers were suspected of many illegal dealings and that they may have been selling and storing contraband on the property. We found a trunk buried not far from where Damian’s body was discovered. My best guess is that Damian found out what they were up to and threatened to turn them in, or maybe he just stumbled upon them in the act and they decided to kill him. Either way, we have more than enough to arrest Reiner, and patrol has been out looking for them. We got a hit that there was a car registered in their name in the area. Then we got a picture of them on the drawbridge, after you plowed across it!” He shook his head. “Do you have any idea how foolish that was?”
“Actually, I was the one driving.” George rested his hands on his hips. “Do you want to take it easy on how you speak to my granddaughter?”
“Are you going to question my authority? I thought we’ve been through this before. Your granddaughter could have been killed because of that stunt.”
“But I wasn’t. I trust my grandfather, and he got me to safety, without a scratch on me. The important thing right now is that there is a killer on the loose, and we need to be sure that he’s taken off the streets.”
“Yes, you’re right about that.” Chief Meyers tipped his hat to them. “Stay safe. I’ll let you know as soon as we pick them up.”
“Thanks, Chief.” Kerri managed a smile. “Actually, I have a box of Damian’s things. Garret gave them to me. Maybe you could give them to Damian’s parents.” Kerri did not want to have to give it to them, but she wanted to make sure that they got his things back. George retreated into the house to get the box.
“From Garret?” The Chief asked incredulously.
“Yes, he didn’t want to face them.” George handed the chief the box.
“Okay.” It looked like he was going to say more, but as he opened the door to his car, a flurry of messages came across his car radio. He grinned and smacked the top of his car. “Well, I guess you don’t have to wait for an update after all. The Weber brothers are in custody.” He jumped into the car and tore off down the road.
“That’s it.” George rested his hands on the tops of Kerri’s shoulders. “It’s all over now.”
“Thank goodness.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “I should call Steve.”
“Yes, go for it. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear it.”
As Kerri disappeared into the house to call Steve her heart raced with excitement. Damian would have his justice, and she wouldn’t have to be afraid to open her shop. However, even as she recounted the information to Steve, there was a heaviness in the pit of her stomach and a dizziness in her head. Was it really over?
Chapter 15
An hour later, Steve was at Kerri’s door. He hurri
ed inside and opened his arms to her. She curled into his embrace and closed her eyes as the entire car chase flashed through her mind.
“It’s over, Steve. The Weber brothers are in custody.”
“That’s good.” He kissed the top of her head and tightened his arms around her. “I’m just so glad that you’re safe.”
“You heard about the bridge?”
“Yes.” He frowned. “Everyone in town has heard about the bridge. What was George thinking?”
“He was trying to protect us. And he did.” She stepped back to look in his eyes. “It was scary, but he got us away from some dangerous men.”
“Speaking of those men, I found something on Damian’s files.” He led her to the couch, then sat down next to her.
“What is it?” She searched his eyes.
“I finally cracked the code on that list of bets on the boxing matches. I’ve figured out who most of the gamblers are, there are still a few I haven’t narrowed down. But two names in particular surprised me. Bert and Reiner Weber.”
“They placed bets on the fights?” Kerri’s brows furrowed. “But what does that have to do with the murder?”
“I don’t think that Damian ever knew they were criminals. I think he discovered they were involved in the illegal gambling ring, which from what I can tell is involved in fixed fights and much more gambling than just betting on boxing matches, at the boxing gym. Maybe Damian confronted them, maybe he wanted to put a stop to it.”
“Since he hated the idea of betting on sports, and objected to betting on boxing. What I don’t understand is why didn’t he tell anyone?”
“Because most of the boxers and other staff at the boxing gym were in on it. I think either he went to the property to confront them, and they killed him, or he went there and stumbled upon something he shouldn’t have, and they killed him for it.”
“Everything leads back to the Weber brothers, hmm?” Kerri nodded.
“It seems that way.”
“But what about the ring?”
“What about it?” Steve shrugged.
“Well, where did it come from?”
“Most of the men wearing them in the picture are from around here. Maybe one of them lost it in the woods during hunting season, it could just be a coincidence.”
“Yes, I guess it could be. A very strange coincidence. It certainly plants a seed of doubt in my mind.”
“It’s also possible that one of the brothers asked for a ring from the gym and was given one, since they placed such high bets on the fights,” Steve said.
“With a pot that big, then maybe there was financial motivation to kill.”
“I would say that is very possible.”
“I guess the important thing is that the case is solved. I’m sure the police will be able to piece together all of the details.”
“Speaking of the police, it looks like Chief Meyers just pulled up.”
“Oh?” Kerri stood up to look out through the front window. “I wonder what he’s doing here?”
“Let’s find out.” Steve led the way out through the front door, and met Chief Meyers on his way up to it.
“Steve, Kerri. I thought I’d stop by and give you an update on the situation with the Weber brothers. At this time we’ve arrested Reiner Weber. As I said his prints match those on the toolbox.”
“What about his brother?” Steve crossed his arms.
“He is also being arrested, on other charges. Only Reiner is being charged for Damian’s murder. We have enough on him that the trial should be fairly easy, and I’m sure he’ll get a heavy sentence.”
“Did you figure out why he killed Damian?” Steve asked.
“The theory at the moment is that Damian came across him at a time when he was burying contraband. I don’t know what Damian was doing out on that property though.”
“We might be able to help with that. I’ll send you some documents that we found in his cloud storage. They detail a gambling ring that was happening at the boxing gym. I think it was illegal and Damian was trying to break it up, and Reiner Weber was part of it,” Steve said.
“A gambling ring? That’s the first I’ve heard of it. Please do send those documents. They might help us fill in some blanks. Reiner is insisting that he had nothing to do with Damian’s murder. Of course that’s not exactly a surprise, most people aren’t going to admit to murder. But we’ll get to him eventually. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know what was happening considering they were chasing you and your grandfather.” Chief Meyers looked at Kerri. “However, I do have to warn you that if I ever see your grandfather pull that stunt on the bridge again I am going to lock him up. Understand?”
“Yes, sir. I do.” She managed a small smile. “I’m sure he won’t be making a habit of it.”
Chief Meyers nodded to both of them, then walked back to his car.
“He was a little gruff!” Steve raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure that will ever change.”
“No, I don’t think it will.” She leaned close to him. “What do you say we let all of this go, and have dinner?”
“A real date?” He smiled.
“If you’re asking me, then yes.” She felt butterflies in her stomach at the thought.
“I thought you were asking me?” He quirked an eyebrow.
“I was asking you to dinner, you’re the one that made it complicated.”
“Oh? Is that right?” He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Then fine, yes, I want it to be complicated. As complicated as it can be. I want it to be a date, and I want many dates to follow.”
“I’ll have to check my schedule.”
“Hmm?” He brushed his lips along the curve of her cheek. “Too busy for me?”
“Never.” She turned her head and met his lips with her own. After a short kiss, she joined him in his car, and they headed off to find a good meal. When they arrived at the restaurant she noticed Natalie right away at another table.
“Hey Nat.” She smiled as she walked up to her. “I guess we had the same idea.”
“I guess so. Do you want to join us?” Natalie tilted her head in the direction of the buffet, where Chloe was filling her plate.
“Oh, uh, maybe.” Kerri looked over at Steve. “What do you think?”
“As long as it’s still a real date, it’s fine with me.” Steve smiled.
“Oh, a real date? It’s about time.” Natalie laughed. “I understand if you two would prefer to have your privacy.”
“Actually, I think it would be good to be around friends.” Steve pulled out a chair for Kerri. Kerri sat down as Chloe returned with her plate.
“Steve, Kerri, what are you doing here?” Chloe smiled.
“They’re on their first real date.” Natalie winked.
“Oh boy, big step. Did Steve tell you about our history?” Chloe sat down as Steve sat down beside Kerri.
“History?” Kerri swallowed hard. This was it. This was when she would find out the truth about Steve and Chloe’s past. Her ears turned red in anticipation.
“Sure, in high school, I had the biggest crush on her.” Steve grinned. “Damian might have caught wind of it somehow, and might have taught me a lesson about not having crushes on girls with boyfriends.”
“Poor Steve had a shiner for a week.” Chloe clucked her tongue. “Damian would have been suspended if Steve had told the truth, but he didn’t. He never said a word.”
“I wasn’t about to become the school snitch.” Steve shook his head. “But Damian could throw a punch, even back then.”
“I yelled at him for that you know. I told him, what did it matter if you liked me, I was never going to be interested in you. No offense, Steve, but you were far too skinny for me.”
“Skinny?” Kerri laughed as she looked over at Steve who was still slender, but well-built. “I find that hard to imagine.”
“Oh, don’t worry, there are pictures.” Chloe laughed.
“What kind of date is this?” Steve groaned. For the re
mainder of the meal they discussed life as it once was, before they all became adults. Kerri managed to find some common ground on a few matters, and for the first time she felt included in a circle of friends.
Chapter 16
The next morning Kerri woke up, expecting to feel some sense of peace. There were things to do to get ready for the postponed grand opening, but that wasn’t what weighed her down. She woke up with the thought of the ring on her mind. It of course could be nothing, but it would be such a coincidence that it was found that day by the squirrel if it had nothing to do with the murder. Cashew jumped up on her bed and licked her cheek.
“What do you think, Cash? Should I believe the Chief of Police, or the squirrel?”
As soon as she said squirrel, Cashew jumped up and raced for the door. Kerri laughed as she climbed out of bed. She threw on some clothes and let Cashew out into the backyard. It was a crisp morning, and the scent of pine hung in the air. She took a deep breath as Cashew searched for her squirrel friend. Maybe she was just trying to create something out of nothing. The important thing was a killer was behind bars, and the town was safe again. Still, she just couldn’t bring herself to feel relief. Instead her body was just on the edge of tense, as if she needed to be prepared to run at any moment. Maybe it was the aftereffects of the car chase. Although she lingered outside for close to thirty minutes, she saw no sign of the squirrel.
“It must be too early for him, Cashew. Let’s go inside and have some breakfast.”
When she stepped into the kitchen she found her grandfather fighting with the coffee pot.
“Why do they make these things so difficult?” He grunted and slammed the lid down on the top of the coffee maker.
“It’s okay, I can get it, Grandpa.”
“I can do it, I just don’t get why they didn’t make it simpler.”
She studied him as he began to push the buttons and realized that his body was just as tense as hers if not even more.
“Are you doing okay today?”
“I guess.” He looked over at her. “You?”
